Synthesis and electronic properties of nitrogen-bridged dimers of boron subphthalocyanines

We describe for the first time the synthesis and characterization of a new family of subphthalocyanine derivatives, the μ-azo dimers, in which two closely interacting macrocycles are axially linked together by a B–N–B bridge.

Nail psoriasis as a predictor of the development of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a psoriasis-related spondyloarthropathy that occurs in 20-30% of patients with psoriasis. Various imaging studies have demonstrated that there is a considerable proportion of undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis. Since early detection and treatment of psoriatic arthritis could, ultimately, allow the prevention of clinical and radiologic progression of the disease, there is the need to establish clinical indicators to detect this risk. Nail psoriasis has been proposed as a predictor for the development of psoriatic arthritis. The inflammation involving the entheses, called enthesitis, is an early inflammatory change seen in psoriatic arthritis, and nail changes appear to result from the close relationship between the nail and the enthesis of the distal interphalangeal extensor tendon, one of the main entheseal compartments affected in psoriatic arthritis. As skin lesions precede articular symptoms in more than 75-80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis, dermatologists may play a key role in the early detection and management of psoriatic arthritis.

Non-aggregated Zn(ii)octa(2,6-diphenylphenoxy) phthalocyanine as a hole transporting material for efficient perovskite solar cells

A non-aggregated Zn(ii)octa(2,6-diphenylphenoxy) phthalocyanine (coded as TT80) has been used as a hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells.

Visual diagnosis: 8-day-old hypotonic newborn with sparse hair

A hypotonic newborn or infant with pale skin and sparse, friable, hypopigmented, or depigmented hair should have his copper and ceruloplasmin plasma levels evaluated because this is the usual clinical presentation of Menkes disease. Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive disease caused by a defect in the ATP7A gene, identified in 95% to 98% of the cases. Identifying the mutation confirms the diagnosis and allows for prenatal counseling and diagnosis in a future pregnancy. When administered within the first few months of life, copper histidinate, given subcutaneously in a dose of 50 to 150 mg/kg per day, appears to be effective not only by increasing life expectancy from 3 to 13 years but also by improving neurologic symptoms and neurodevelopmental outcomes in approximately 30% of the patients.

Epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery calcification in psoriasis patients

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease associated with several cardio-metabolic comorbidities, accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Other causes beyond systemic inflammation and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) may be implicated in the increased risk of CVD observed in these patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a type of visceral adipose tissue surrounding the heart and coronary vessels has been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease, by endocrine mechanisms, but particularly by local inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

To compare EAT volumes in psoriasis patients and controls using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to analyse if eventual differences were independent from abdominal visceral adiposity; to determine, within psoriasis patients, its relation with subclinical atherosclerosis and other markers of cardiometabolic risk.

METHODS

One hundred patients with severe psoriasis, without CVD underwent MDCT, with EAT and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) assessment and coronary artery calcification (CAC) quantification and were compared with 202 control patients.

RESULTS

EAT volume was increased in psoriasis patients compared to control subjects, independently from age, sex and AVF, being, on average, 15.2 ± 4.41 mL higher (95% CI: 6.5-26.0, P = 0.001) than in controls. Moreover, psoriasis patients had a statistically significant higher risk of having subclinical atherosclerosis (OR 2.52, 95% CI: 1.23-5.16) than controls, after adjusting for traditional CVRF. Within psoriasis patients EAT volume was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, independently of age, sex, psoriasis duration, classical CVRF and AVF.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that psoriasis was associated with increased EAT volume independently of visceral abdominal fat and with subclinical atherosclerosis. Within psoriasis patients EAT volume was independently associated with CAC. EAT may be another important contributor to the higher cardiovascular risk observed in psoriasis.

Spectroscopy of element 115 decay chains

A high-resolution α, x-ray, and γ-ray coincidence spectroscopy experiment was conducted at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung. Thirty correlated α-decay chains were detected following the fusion-evaporation reaction 48Ca + 243Am. The observations are consistent with previous assignments of similar decay chains to originate from element Z=115. For the first time, precise spectroscopy allows the derivation of excitation schemes of isotopes along the decay chains starting with elements Z>112. Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations accompany the data analysis. Nuclear structure models provide a first level interpretation.

On the relative stability of self-assembled metallosupramolecular subphthalocyanine capsules determined by ESI-Q-TOF tandem mass spectrometry

A comparative study of the relative stability of subphthalocyanine metallosupramolecular capsules bearing different metals and ligands has been carried out by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry experiments. The results highlight the trends in the strength of metal-nitrogen bonds as well as the 'trans effect' of certain ligands.

Foscarnet-induced penile ulceration

Foscarnet is used to treat herpes viruses, including drug-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). There are some reports of intravenous foscarnet-induced penile and vulvar ulceration. The authors report a case of the development of severe penile ulcers after the initiation of intravenous foscarnet therapy.

Photodynamic therapy as adjunctive therapy for morpheaform basal cell carcinoma

The authors decided to evaluate the possible use of methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) as adjunctive therapy for morpheaform basal cell carcinoma prior to standard surgical excision in order to reduce tumor size and volume and to facilitate surgical treatment. It was observed that MAL-PDT may be an option as an adjunctive therapy prior to standard surgical excision of morpheaform basal cell carcinoma, leading to less invasive surgery.

Linear IgA bullous disease in a patient with Crohn's disease

Linear IgA bullous disease is a rare autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterized by linear deposition of IgA along the basement membrane zone. We report a clinical case of a rare association of Linear IgA bullous disease and Crohn's disease. Parallel clinical improvement of both cutaneous and intestinal disease was observed with dapsone treatment.